Construction of currycombs



w. WHEELER.

Curry Comb.

No. 9,605. Patented March 1, 1853.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM WHEELER, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

CONSTRUCTION OF CURRYCOMBS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 9,605, dated March 1, 1853.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM \VHEELER, ofTroy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York, have made acertain new and useful Improvement in Currycombs; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe construction and operation of the same, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which Figure 1is a perspective view of the comb in hand as used. Fig. 2 is a top View,and Fig. 3 an end view of the same, the same letters having reference tolike parts in all the figures.

The nature of my invention consists in the forming in place of theusually adapted. handle, a ring A, projecting from the back of the comb,for the thumb to rest in, as seen in the drawing.

It is customary with those skilled in the use of currycombs to spreadthe hand upon the back of the comb, with the thumb eX- tended under thehandle and lying against the back bar of the comb; thus the comb isvibrated with a right and left motion upon the coat of the horse, thehand having its motion from the Wrist. As this is found the most easyand expeditious mode of Working the comb rather than grasp the handle,and bring the whole arm or that part below the elbow into action it hasbecome the prevalent mode of hole ing the comb when operating it.

The manner above described of holding a curry comb with a handle of theusual kind is an inconvenient mode; and also the thumb being under thehandle, necessarily raises the back bars or teeth from the coat of thehorse, while only some two or three of the front bars are madeelfective; consequently often irritating the horse, and wearing thefront bars of the comb out, while it leaves the back bars comparativelyunworn, thereby rendering it less valuable than when all of the teethare brought equally into service.

It will be readily seen that in my arrangement of a ring or loop for theplacing of the thumb as represented in the drawing formed and extendingfrom the back it allows the whole surface of the teeth to bear alikeupon the coat of the horse, and at the same time the hand has an equaland convenient bearing upon the comb, and is firmly held, the thumboccupying the space usually taken up by the handle, and having fullcontrol of the comb.

It will thus be seen that my improvement renders the currycomb moreeffective and convenient in use, while it is rendered cheaper in itsconstruction than in the usual manner of constructing and employing ahandle. This currycomb is not only cheaper than that in common use wherethe handle is of wood requiring a socket, but is much more durable, notonly from the liability, in that case, of the handle to break, but fromthe fact that in the common currycomb the teeth are generally entirelyworn off on one side before the other side is much worn. From the mannerof applying the force of the hand in the common one, the pressure uponthe horse is uncertain and variable and the horse is often bruised andinjured. With my improvement these liabilities do not exist. It isobvious that the ring or loop may be varied in form, while the desiredresult is attained; for example, a similar ring may be formed extendingfrom the ends of the comb, or end pieces B, B, and uniting in the centerat the back of the comb, or other analogous modes, but the ring shouldin each instance be made whole or continuous with the back strap A, thatis the back strap and ring must be formed of one piece of metal, for thesake of economy and strength.

Iaving thus described the nature of my invention, what I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The application of a ring, loop, or fixture on currycombs, for theinsertion of the thumb as a guard and rest therefor, the ring or loopbeing made in one piece with the back strap as set forth.

WILLIAM WHEELER.

Witnesses:

E. BELL, R. CRUIKSHANK.

